Overcoming Metabolic Syndrome Through Nutrition
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by Ronda Einbinder Doctors and nutritionists hear it from patients all the time: ?I tried every diet and still am unable to lose weight.? What these patients do not realize is that many are suffering from metabolic syndrome, which can be corrected with proper nutrition and an understanding of their personal healthy weight range. Bariatric and family practice physician Dr. Caroline Cederquist of Naples, Florida, has devoted a majority of her practice to working with patients who have a common metabolic condition that responds to the proper diet for their metabolism. ?Losing weight is always a combination of things, but 80 to 90 percent of the people I see in my practice, including children, have a very common but undiagnosed metabolic condition that makes it hard to lose and easy to gain weight,? explained Dr. Cederquist. ?It is common in women after menopause, so many women who have never had a weight issue, or alternatively, who always have had a weight problem but controlled it, will find that they can?t control it at all after menopause.? Dr. Cederquist explains that metabolic syndrome is a condition that may develop as people age and their bodies lose the ability to metabolize carbohydrates efficiently. ?People who have a strong family history of diabetes are at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome? she said. ?Metabolic syndrome in its early stages presents as insulin resistance, which means that the body produces insulin?a hormone that regulates blood sugar?but doesn?t utilize it properly. The cells do not receive the energy that they need, so the cells send signals to the body telling it to store fat. The cells are essentially starving, and a starving organism will resist weight loss, hence, weight gain becomes easy and weight loss becomes very difficult.? Medical literature indicates that 47 percent of adults over the age of 50 have insulin resistance that has progressed to the point that many of the markers are present that allow for a formal diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Dr. Cederquist advises all people who have recently gained weight, or have been continuously unable to lose weight, to ask their physicians for a simple chemistry profile. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if you have at least three of the five following components present on physical exam or in your lab work: 1. Blood pressure higher than 135 over 85 People are born with a genetic predisposition to metabolic syndrome, but many of them actually develop the condition after they experience weight gain. Dr. Cederquist explained that one of the key factors in the development of insulin resistance is body fat stored in the abdominal area: ?If you were to gain weight for any number of reasons?stopping smoking, pregnancy, life stress?the abdominal body fat you put on in the process changes your metabolism. The body may then lose its ability to process carbohydrates, which is what happens in insulin resistance.? The solution to the metabolic problem involves weight loss, but losing the right amount of weight can be tricky. Dr Cederquist says, ?The biggest problem with weight loss efforts is that very often people don?t lose enough abdominal fat to reverse the metabolic processes that are keeping them heavy. How much weight you need to lose to correct insulin resistance depends on your personal chemistry and, as a result, is individual for each person. As long as you don?t lose enough of the abdominal fat that is creating metabolic problems, your body will fight your weight loss efforts.? Knowing how much weight to lose is difficult, but it is something a doctor can help to determine. Dr. Cederquist explained how she finds the right amount for her patients: ?I know how much they should lose by checking their lab work. I have patients in my practice who have done beautifully and have lost 50 pounds, but when I recheck their lab work, I find that they are still insulin-resistant. This type of patient often has a strong family history of diabetes. If this successful but still insulin-resistant patient stops dieting or says ?I am going to maintain this weight by continuing what I am currently doing,? they will almost always gain a fair amount of the weight back. This patient is doing all the proper lifestyle interventions but the hormonal problem has not resolved. This patient may finally correct their insulin resistance when medication is added to the treatment plan.? Blood tests to check for insulin resistance are not done routinely, so it is important to request the test from your physician. If you are diagnosed with insulin resistance, proper nutrition is vital. ?Adequate lean protein and a controlled carbohydrate intake are key to reversing insulin resistance,? Dr. Cederquist explained. ?If you don?t give your body adequate protein when you are dieting, your body will take the protein it needs for daily existence from your muscle tissue. Your heart is a muscle, so this is a serious problem.? While it may not seem like the most logical response to a dieter, the human body will protect fat before it protects muscle. When you don?t have enough protein in your diet, you may be losing skeletal muscle and heart muscle. This is one of the reasons why restrictive dieting can be harmful. Dr. Cederquist said, ?The ADA recommends that one gets 15 percent of daily calories from protein, which is fine in a ?normal? diet, but 15 percent protein is inadequate on a low-calorie diet. The fewer calories you eat, the higher your percentage of protein must be, and the lower your percentage of carbohydrates, in order to avoid harming your muscle tissues.? Dr. Cederquist has applied her strong nutrition principles to create a meal delivery program in which meals are created with registered dieticians based upon the principles of reversing insulin resistance with the correct diet. BistroMD delivers nutritious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for people all over the country through her website, BistroMD.com. The program provides 1200 to 1400 calories per day, but in the proper proportion of macronutrients?protein, carbohydrate, and fat?to maintain health during weight loss. Here are a few of BistroMD?s special recipes that you can make at home. Individually, they are delicious; together, these foods make a delightful meal to share. As always, be sure to check with your medical team if you have any questions about whether these foods are a good fit for you and your weight-loss program. Marinated Tuna SteakMakes one serving ? 1 tablespoon orange juice In a large bowl, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, oregano, and pepper. Place the tuna steak in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Preheat grill for high heat. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook the tuna steak for 5 to 6 minutes, then turn and baste with the marinade. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or to desired doneness. Discard any remaining marinade. Each serving has: Calories: 245 Soybean SuccotashMakes two servings ? 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, corn, broccoli, and soy beans, and cook until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Season to taste with seasoned salt. Each serving has: Calories: 320 Baby CarrotsMakes two servings ? 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons fresh baby carrots In a saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil; add carrots. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes; drain and pat dry. In an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan, combine the carrots with remaining ingredients. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees F for 7-9 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring once. Each serving has: Calories: 90 June 2008 |